Scott Wykoff's Blog

Monday, September 2, 2013

The Stage Is Set In Baltimore

The stage is set for NFL Kickoff 2013 in Baltimore this week.

Literally.

Early Monday morning the floating stage for Keith Urban’s
concert arrived in town.

At the same time those concrete and chain link fence retaining walls
were being cleared from the streets around the Inner Harbor after the Baltimore
Grand Prix, tug boats guided the barge with the stage into the waters of the Inner
Harbor.

Keith Urban will perform from the floating stage barge in the Inner
Harbor adjacent to the Maryland Science Center.

The Grammy Award-winning singer will perform live, with
activities beginning at 6:00 p.m. for “NFL Kickoff 2013 Presented by Pepsi”. It’s
the NFL’s 11th anniversary Kickoff celebration to kick off the season and
celebrate the Super Bowl champion Ravens. The event is free and open to the
public.

Simulcast coverage of the 60-minute pregame show from
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, including the Keith Urban concert from the floating
barge stage, will air from 7:30 – 8:30 PM on WBAL TV.

The show and concert on the Inner Harbor leads into the
season opener on WBAL TV between the Ravens and the Denver Broncos at Sport
Authority Field at Mile High Stadium in Denver.

The event will include also include fireworks, a showing of
“America’s Game: 2012 Baltimore Ravens,” and a water light show.

Folks heading to the Inner Harbor for the concert can enter
the concert site at the Baltimore Visitor Center on Light Street at Conway
Street or off of Key Highway between the Science Center and Rash Field.The entrances will open to the public
beginning at 6pm on Thursday.

Concert goers may view things from the general public
viewing areas, which are adjacent to the Maryland Science Center and are
directly in front of the stage. Access to the general public viewing areas is
first come, first served. Guests also may enjoy the concert from West Shore
Park and along the Inner Harbor promenade.

To ensure public safety and security, the NFL says the
following items are prohibited: weapons, alcohol, food, beverages, all glass
containers, fireworks, all chairs, tents of any kind, barbecue grills of any
kind, umbrellas, blankets of any kind, cameras with lens over 12”, obstructive
signs and animals other than service animals.

The NFL also wants you to know everyone is subject to
search, and prohibited items may not be abandoned at security checkpoints and
to allow adequate time to pass through security checkpoints before activities
begin.

But don't forget. The Ravens opener in Denver won't be shown at the Inner Harbor after the concert.

Concert goers will either have to rush home, to a friends house or to a spot around town to see the game that can only be seen on WBAL TV.